Robert J. Van Saun - Professor of Veterinary and Biomedical Sciences, Penn State University Park

Book Title: Nutritional Ecology of the Ruminant

Author: Peter J. Van Soest

Book Description:

This text and the associated graduate course taught by Dr. Van Soest was pivotal in merging my previous veterinary clinical experience with current graduate education. Throughout the course, many lightbulbs went off for me, allowing for a level of scientific explanation for my real world veterinary practice experiences. It was truly an enlightening experience. Beyond the educational experience, Dr. Van Soest inspired a desire to applied basic foundational information to other areas. To this end, I have applied my dairy cattle nutritional knowledge to many other species, which has continuously provided me with new and exciting areas of study. This approach has opened many new doors during my academic career and provided me opportunities to share my knowledge internationally. Many other people throughout my education and career have provided me inspiration and insight, but I believe Dr. Van Soest's course to be the cornerstone to my educational career. I am extremely grateful that I can recognize his contributions to my career through my own academic success.